She’s boo!-ed up. Ellise is the spooky pop princess who you probably know from her yearly Halloween drops. The 23-year-old first started the tradition in 2018, and this year, she’s turning all the frightening feels of a bad breakup into the haunting EP Letting the Wolf In.

We called up the California native to hear how she’s coping with Lifetime-movie trauma, how she finds self-care in the sound booth, and who’s on her Halloween playlist.

True or false: Celebrating Halloween is self-care?
Absolutely true! Halloween’s my favorite holiday, and I love making that darker sound of pop music.

Where did the idea for an annual Halloween album come from?
The first time I did one was in 2018. At that point, I had only ever dropped singles, and I wanted to make an actual project. I’ve always loved Halloween and all the dark sh*t so I was like, “I’m going to make a spooky EP and see how that goes.” It’s been fun to do them every year since then.

What was the inspiration behind this year’s project?
It was basically me writing about experiences I went through last year. 2020, on top of Covid, was a very draining and stressful year for me. I was going through a really awful relationship. I released an album earlier this year called Chaotic where all of that was addressed, and I had more to say… Growing up, I loved to read fantasy, so I wanted the [EP] to revolve around the Brothers Grimm. The experiences of going through a toxic relationship, getting cheated on, breaking up, crying, and being depressed, I wanted to wrap all that up in the motifs of creepy, dark fairy tales.

When you’re stressed, does it help to focus on your music?
Whenever I’m making a project, it’s a very hectic process. It does stress me out, but at the same time, it’s the one thing in life that feels fulfilling. I know I’m working hard on something that’s going to bring me gratification and joy. When I think of self-care, I think of winding down, trying to get in tune with myself, and not thinking about outside forces.

Who are your musical influences?
When I was very young, I was listening to what my parents listened to. My dad loved rock, so that influenced me early on. Once I was old enough to start getting my own [taste], I got into Nirvana, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, [etc.]. Then I got into the 2012 Tumblr era [laughing] and was obsessed with Lana Del Rey, Lorde, Melanie Martinez. All of those alt-pop girls are what truly inspired me to be like, “I want to write songs, too. This is so cool.”

We’re guessing you’re also into horror movies.
Absolutely! I love a sick, twisted movie. The new season of American Horror Story where they’re on the island was really good. And I just rewatched Human Centipede III and, oh my God, it’s so disturbing.

What’s your biggest fear?
Being chased. When I was a little kid, if someone would chase me [while] playing tag, I’d literally have a panic attack. The idea of running away from something is the absolute most terrifying thing my brain can think of.

You probably shouldn’t watch Lifetime movies then because all they do is chase women.
I know! When I was a kid, I would watch Lifetime movies with my grandma, and that might’ve instilled that fear in me [laughing].

Who’s on your Halloween party playlist?
Of course, Queen Kim Petras—her Halloween albums have always slapped. I would definitely put Vampire by Dominic Fike on there. Ashnikko, Allie X, Melanie Martinez, Die Antwoord, and Lil Peep. Willow Smith has a really pretty song called Marceline, even though it’s not spooky. And IC3PEAK, they’re a Russian duo and they make absolutely insane headbang music.